National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

[jerryd6818]

Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships (the USS Arizona and the USS Utah) and destroyed 188 aircraft.

[1967redrider]

Remembering those lost 82 years ago. But it did ignite our efforts to free Europe of the National Socialist invaders that tried to rule the world.

USS West Virginia was sank in shallow water, rebuilt and served throughout WW II, according to Wikipedia. I think her bell used to be near Woodburn Circle at WVU.

[FRJ]

The attack seems to want to fade from memory. Thanks for reminding us Jerry.

An enormous amount of life lost in such a short amount of time. So tragic ....
and yet this country banded together in those days.

[1967redrider]

WVU marks 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor with ceremony at the USS West Virginia mast.

https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/12/07 ... inia-mast/

I think I need to move to West Virginia when I retire. East Virginia doesn't seem to align with my way of thinking any longer.

[Ridgegrass]

There's a really well researched and written book called "AT DAWN WE SLEPT" that tells the story from the intense planning on the part of the Japanese through the mistakes made right up to the first bomb dropped. My favorite quote is from mission planner, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto afterwards, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve".
On April 18, 1943, in "Operation Vengeance" the "awakened giant" put two .50 caliber bullets in Yamamoto during his inspection flight near Bougainville Island in the Solomons. The pilot credited with the kill was Lt.Rex T. Barber, from a P-38G "Lightning" equipped with drop tanks for the 1000+ mile, roundabout journey. His plane took 104 hits in the melee but he returned. The U.S. lost only one pilot of the 18 assigned, Lt. Raymond Hine. Interestingly, there was disagreement about attacking his flight because it could reveal that the U.S. had broken the Japanese codes and knew in advance of the planned visit to the area, so the circuitous route was chosen to avoid detection. The mission details were not reported until September 1945 to maintain secrecy.
Sure hope we're still that "giant" that we once were. "Bless them all". J.O'.

[GSPTOPDOG]

A chain of events that was set into motion that led to the deaths of around 400,000 Americans. Logic says that these people would not have been put into harm's way if the fire had not been lit at Peral Harbor. Nobody has exact figures, but it is estimated that the U.S. counted around 407,000 military deaths and around 12,000 civilian deaths (due to crimes of war and military activity such as bombings.) The total death count for all Americans amounted up to 420,000. I also have an older book (1960s) by John Yoland that had listed 395,000 US military deaths during WWII, so the exact numbers are difficult to pin down.

What we do know for a fact is that 82 years ago on this day the course of America in relation to the world was forever changed.

[TPK]

WVU marks 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor with ceremony at the USS West Virginia mast.

https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/12/07 ... inia-mast/

I think I need to move to West Virginia when I retire. East Virginia doesn't seem to align with my way of thinking any longer.

Cool read & pictures John.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by: John Denver Meet you there John?
They even have an area without any Internet or cell phones.

[1967redrider]

WVU marks 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor with ceremony at the USS West Virginia mast.

https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/12/07 ... inia-mast/

I think I need to move to West Virginia when I retire. East Virginia doesn't seem to align with my way of thinking any longer.

Cool read & pictures John.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by: John Denver Meet you there John?
They even have an area without any Internet or cell phones.

Sounds Heavenly.

[TPK]

WVU marks 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor with ceremony at the USS West Virginia mast.

https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/12/07 ... inia-mast/

I think I need to move to West Virginia when I retire. East Virginia doesn't seem to align with my way of thinking any longer.

Cool read & pictures John.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by: John Denver Meet you there John?
They even have an area without any Internet or cell phones.

Sounds Heavenly.

"Almost Heaven...,West Virginia..."

Harpers Ferry maybe. It borders on MD & VA, has some Civil War History, has the Shenandoah River, Potomac River & is the middle of the Appalachian Trail. I've been there once. I liked it there because of the two rivers.
https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers ... _Virginia)
Oh and I almost forgot Trains!

[1967redrider]

Sounds Heavenly.

"Almost Heaven...,West Virginia..."

Harpers Ferry maybe. It borders on MD & VA, has some Civil War History, has the Shenandoah River, Potomac River & is the middle of the Appalachian Trail. I've been there once. I liked it there because of the two rivers.
https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers ... _Virginia)
Oh and I almost forgot Trains!

About 3 months ago, Brenda and I biked from Brunswick, MD up the C&O Canal to Harper's Ferry, my first visit. I loved the place, quaint and historic . . . with trains!

[TPK]

Sounds Heavenly.

"Almost Heaven...,West Virginia..."

Harpers Ferry maybe. It borders on MD & VA, has some Civil War History, has the Shenandoah River, Potomac River & is the middle of the Appalachian Trail. I've been there once. I liked it there because of the two rivers.
https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers ... _Virginia)
Oh and I almost forgot Trains!

About 3 months ago, Brenda and I biked from Brunswick, MD up the C&O Canal to Harper's Ferry, my first visit. I loved the place, quaint and historic . . . with trains!

Exactly! "Quaint & historic . . . with trains!" Couldn't have said it better myself.
And you could go fishing. I like fishing. We'll set up a tourist gift shop selling Yankee Candles, pocket knives, bait, fishing gear, camping stuff & other things that people on the Appalachian Trail need. It will be great!

[1967redrider]

"Almost Heaven...,West Virginia..."

Harpers Ferry maybe. It borders on MD & VA, has some Civil War History, has the Shenandoah River, Potomac River & is the middle of the Appalachian Trail. I've been there once. I liked it there because of the two rivers.
https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers ... _Virginia)
Oh and I almost forgot Trains!

About 3 months ago, Brenda and I biked from Brunswick, MD up the C&O Canal to Harper's Ferry, my first visit. I loved the place, quaint and historic . . . with trains!

Exactly! "Quaint & historic . . . with trains!" Couldn't have said it better myself.
And you could go fishing. I like fishing. We'll set up a tourist gift shop selling Yankee Candles, pocket knives, baif, fishing gear, camping stuff & other things that people on the Appalachian Trail need. It will be great!

Count me in!

[TPK]

Great! Now all we need is a few hundred thousand to get moved & to set up shop.
I may need a few days to figure this one out John.